Steve Geller

Steve: Payton will be smart with Jairus Byrd at Colts

by Steve Geller,posted Aug 19 2014 4:21PM

The Saints big $54 million dollar free agent acquisition finally participated in team drills today for the first time EVER. Yes, Who Dat Nation, ballhawking safety Jarius Byrd is a full go for the Black & Gold after missing all of organized team activities, all of mini-camp and all of training camp in West Virginia.

“Now, it’s just... I’m looking ahead,” said the Byrdman. “I’m looking ahead to what we have to get accomplished this game and long road we have ahead for the season.”

Wait did he say this game? Like, Saturday in Indianapolis versus the Colts?

“In my mind I’m expecting to play,” Byrd stated. “My mindset is I’m going to play. Now the last say-so goes through Coach Payton so I’m just preparing myself as if I’m going to play. But things can change, I don’t know.”

Sean Payton sounded confident when asked about Byrd having a very physical first day, including a pad-smacking collision with running back Mark Ingram.

“Basically the last step was getting clearance for contact,” Payton said. “He’s gotten that final clearance so now you’re seeing him with no limitations.”

CLEARANCE FOR CONTACT! Glorious coach! So will Byrd play Saturday?

“When you take a player like Jarius, this is an important game because he hadn’t been able to play in the first two,” responded Payton. “We’ll be smart with the reps we give him, the amount we give him, but I don’t think you can just throw the ball out there and play. There is a little bit of football conditioning that goes ino it and I think that’s important.”

Sounds like #31 is ready to take flight to me.

I’ll wrap up this blog the exact same way practice concluded today… DREW DAT!